Take Action to Expand Economic Opportunities for Women

Women in poor communities often face barriers that prevent them from participating in their countries' economies and from earning income to support themselves and their families.

Thanks to microsavings, women at the bottom of the world's economic ladder are finally gaining access to financial services that allow them to save and start income-generating businesses. CARE knows from experience that investing in the earning power of women yields large benefits in terms of family income and well-being. When women earn, everyone benefits.

You can help women around the world access tools and resources they need to lift themselves and their families out of poverty.

Women in poor communities are more likely to spend their income on food, education and health care for their children, activities that help lift families out of poverty. However, they often face unequal barriers to participating actively in their countries' economies.

The Microenterprise Empowerment & Job Creation Act and the Microfinance & Microenterprise Enhancement Act both reauthorize previous microenterprise legislation and provide means and incentives for USAID to direct substantially more microenterprise resources to the very poor.

The bill will help women in developing countries access savings accounts and services. It will require that 50 percent of all microenterprise funds at USAID are targeted to the very poor, including those who live on less than $1.25 a day. It will also direct funds to geographic areas of most need. This bill creates a positive business environment, improves access to savings, and contains solutions to address exclusionary social and economic norms and practices.

Please co-sponsor H.R.2524 and S.2027. Countless women are eager to have the resources to lift themselves, their families and their communities out of poverty for good.